King Charles chatted animatedly about ladies high heels as he hosted a reception for British industry success stories at Windsor Castle tonight.
Royal favourite Lisa Kay saw her Sole Bliss brand go stratospheric after Queen Camilla began ordering her stylish but secretly comfortable shoes.
They are now regularly worn on the red carpet by Hollywood stars including Julia Roberts, Meryl Streep and Dame Helen Mirren.
And to cap it all, she has been given a King’s Award for Enterprise.
Lisa, 61, from Watford, Herts, set up her own business in 2017, following a 30 year career designing shoes, to cater for women with bunions, wide feet or other podiatry issues who still want to wear fashionable footwear, including heels.
She is one of 197 winners this year of the King’s Award for Enterprise, the highest accolade for British businesses.
Introducing herself to the king as someone ‘who makes ladies shoes’, she added: ‘Her Majesty buys them.’
The King brightened immediately and said knowledgeably: ‘She likes a heel that is not too narrow.’
Lisa Kay pictured during a reception for recipients of The King’s Award for Enterprise, at Windsor Castle
‘Yes a block heel,’ said Ms Kay.
‘Yes, yes a block heel,’ Charles smiled.
He added: ‘It gets a bit harder to walk in heels as you get older.’
Afterwards Ms Kay said: ‘It was such an honour to meet the King and to receive this award in his name. He seemed surprisingly knowledgeable, but shoes are important especially for someone like Her Majesty who is on her feet all day and needs to look smart but comfortable.’
Starting with just four lines, the firm has now taken off globally: boasting 300 designs and shipping worldwide, the business is now worth an estimated £10 million.
Encouragingly, most sales come via word of mouth from satisfied customers – and have even benefited from little royal endorsement.
Queen Camilla was first spotted in a pair of Lisa’s heels in 2018 – much to the designer’s shock – and now owns at least 11 pairs, having been photographed in them on more than 80 occasions.
Her first – and favourite – are the £169 nude leather Ingrid heels she wore to the Royal Cornwall Show, with her entire collection now said to be worth more than £2,000.
Lisa, 61, from Watford, Herts, set up her own business in 2017, following a 30 year career designing shoes, to cater for women with bunions, wide feet or other podiatry issues who still want to wear fashionable footwear, including heels
Camilla was one of Lisa Kay’s first customers. Pictured: Camilla, then the Duchess of Cornwall, wearing the shoes at Sandringham Flower Show in 2018
Despite her success, Lisa says she was ‘shocked and thrilled’ to be awarded one of just 197 King’s Awards for Enterprise in 2025 – and be invited to meet the King and other senior royals at Windsor Castle tonight
King Charles pictured speaking to guests during a reception for award recipients at Windsor Castle this evening
‘It was a complete surprise to me. An order came in from Clarence House which needed clearance. It was a hugely exciting moment and I felt very proud,’ Lisa said.
‘The Queen likes to look smart but feel comfortable. It’s the ultimate seal of approval.’
Her designs have now been adopted by stars including Hollywood legends Julia Roberts and Meryl Streep, as well as fellow actresses Dame Helen Mirren, Viola Davis, Rebel Wilson, Olivia Colman, Twiggy and Jane Seymour.
Explaining her inspiration, Lisa said: ‘I started growing a little bunion on my left foot and realised that shoes cut in a certain way were more popular with women who had similar issues. It’s something that affects more women than you might think.
‘We have developed a special tech inside the shoes to comfort and contour your feet in flats or heels, without losing style.
‘We work with a podiatry professor whose attitude is that people will wear what they want to wear, regardless of whether they are good for them or not. So she is happy to recommend us because of our special design.
‘Once people are happy with our shoes they generally become ambassadors for us and tell their friends. We benefit from word of mouth and have a lot of happy customers. Even royalty now.’
Despite her success, Lisa says she was ‘shocked and thrilled’ to be awarded one of just 197 King’s Awards for Enterprise in 2025 – and be invited to meet the King and other senior royals at Windsor Castle tonight.
Charles pictured speaking to guests during the reception for recipients of The King’s Award for Enterprise
The King looked to be in high spirits as he chatted with attendees at the event this evening, on Thursday
Also in attendance was Princess Anne, sporting a navy blue ensemble accentuated with white detailing
The Princess Royal styled her tresses in a classic up-do and sported deep red lipstick this evening
Charles was dapper in a pin-strip suit as he jovially spoke with guests at the reception this evening
The monarch shook hands with people who were being honoured at the King’s Award for Enterprise reception
The Duchess of Edinburgh made an appearance at the event, sporting a black and pastel pink dress
Sophie beamed as she chatted with those in attendance this evening, opting to wear her blonde locks down
The mother-of-two smiled as she enjoyed conversations with guests, choosing to go for a laid back dewy make-up look
Sophie appeared to be deep in conversation as she chatted with guests at the reception for the King’s Award for Enterprise at Windsor Castle
Opting for a summery dress ensemble, the Duchess was the image of elegance for tonight’s reception
The Duke of Edinburgh joined his wife and other family members for the event at Windsor Castle
Prince Edward beamed as he chatted with guests, sporting a colourful lime green tie for the occasion
Beaming Edward looked to be in high spirits during a reception for recipients of The King’s Award for Enterprise
The Duke of Gloucester sported a patterned navy tie for the reception at Windsor Castle this evening
Richard sported a grey suit for the evening, and was seen chatting with attendees at the reception
The award, first instituted by royal warrant by Queen Elizabeth in 1965, is for outstanding achievement in business and is considered the most prestigious honour of its kind in the UK.
‘To receive this recognition from the very institution whose members have been wearing our shoes feels like the perfect validation.’ Lisa says.
‘We’ve proven that British innovation and craftsmanship can solve real problems while competing with luxury brands worldwide.’
And yes, she naturally wore a pair of her own designs – the Ruby – to meet the King.
‘They are one of our highest designs, but so comfortable,’ she smiles proudly.
Other recipients this year include soft toy firm Jellycat and Deluxe Art and Theme Ltd, a fit-out contractor producing story led interiors which has completed work on Jurassic park, Disneyland Paris, and Universal Orlando’s new Harry Potter theme park.
Another British success story present was soft toy sensation Jellycat, which was formed in 1999 and in 2023 enjoyed a revenue of £200 million.
Director Jack Gatacre described meeting the King as ‘brilliant’ and said it was ‘wonderful and humbling’ that the public enjoyed their toys so much. Even the King’s grandchildren Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis are known to be fans.
Beaming Charles looked to entertain crowds of guests as he chatted with people at the reception
The King pictured speaking to chairs of the judging panel during tonight’s reception at Windsor Castle
It was a cheerful evening at Windsor Castle as Charles enjoyed conversing with reception attendees
The King was animated as he enjoyed conversations with several guests at Windsor Castle tonight
‘Tonight has been such a delight and it’s a wonderful honour,’ Mr Gatacre said.
Instituted by Queen Elizabeth in 1965, the awards as the most prestigious business awards in the UK.
At the hour-long reception – which ran over by another half an hour – the King met winners from across the country who are leading their fields in innovation, international trade, sustainable development and promoting opportunity through social mobility.
It is the 59th year of the awards and winners can use its emblem for five years on their products and it promote their services.
His Majesty was told that it provided a ‘massive boost’ for businesses, particularly in markets like the United States. One guest told him: ‘It was a shot in the arm.’
Also in attendance for tonight’s festivities was Princess Anne, who looked sophisticated as ever in a navy dress adorned with white detailing – which she teamed a black leather bag and matching heels.
The Princess Royal, 74, opted for her trademark hairstyle which was in an up-do for the evening, as she was seen chatting with guests.
Elsewhere at the reception were the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, who were all smiles as they too enjoyed conversations with attendees.
Sophie, 60, showed off her faultless summer style in a pink and black dress decorated with floral print, keeping her blonde tresses down.
And her husband Edward, 61, added a pop of colour with a lime green tie as he donned a dapper deep blue suit.
